VIEW Leadership Team

VIEW has 17,000 members in over 300 clubs across Australia. All clubs and members are supported by National Council and the VIEW National Manager.

The VIEW National Manager is employed by The Smith Family and located in The Smith Family's National Office in Sydney. Members of National Council carry out their roles in a voluntary capacity.

National Council

National Council is the governing body of VIEW and is responsible for decision making, growth, and the health and wellbeing of the organisation.

National Council consists of three Executive members (National President and two National Vice Presidents), and 18 National Councillors, each of whom is responsible for a specific VIEW area, divided on geographic lines.

National Council meets at least three times per year to:

facilitate the smooth running of all clubs throughout Australia;

consider matters of national or club importance, contributed by VIEW members or The Smith Family;

formulate national policy for the organisation;

actively work to enhance the relationship between VIEW and The Smith Family;

provide learning opportunities that will further develop the capacity of members and the organisation;

collaborate as part of a team and build capacity to further strengthen the organisation.

Each Executive member and National Councillor serves a fixed term of two years. Elections are held every two years and are completed by July, with the successful candidates announced in September.

The Board of The Smith Family and National Council are jointly responsible for determining the strategic direction of VIEW.

Other VIEW volunteer office bearers include Zone Councillors (a zone being a smaller geographical division within a larger Area) and Club committee members.

VIEW National Executive 2016-17

GWEN WILTON, NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Gwen lives in Picton NSW and has been a member of Picton VIEW for 12 years.

As National President, one of my major aims is to raise awareness of VIEW’s five decade history of supporting the work of The Smith Family, through volunteering, fundraising, raising awareness and sponsoring disadvantaged students on the Learning for Life program.

"I have gained so much from my membership and would like to see others experience the satisfaction which comes through providing support to disadvantaged children and helping them make the most of their education. I look forward to meeting many VIEW members during my two year term as well as welcoming new members to the organisation."

The National President’s theme for 2016-17 is "Many voices, one VIEW, making a difference".

GLORIA WALTER, NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

Gloria joined VIEW in 2009 and is presently a member of Concord West VIEW Club in NSW.

"As a VIEW member I have had the privilege of working with many wonderful dedicated women contributing significant fundraising and volunteering support to help Australian children in need to reach their potential through education. Children are our future. VIEW’s ability to raise awareness and build networks in local communities helps The Smith Family to increase support for its work.

I am looking forward to my role as National Vice President for 2016-17 and meeting other like-minded women who want to make a difference in their community."

TONI THOMAS, NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

Toni joined joined VIEW in Grafton many years ago as a foundation member, and has since been involved with VIEW in a number of locations including Lismore and the Blue Mountains. Toni is currently a member of Springwood VIEW Club in NSW.

"As National Vice President I look forward to working with The Smith Family to effect positive change within the Australian community, by helping disadvantaged children succeed at school which has a lasting impact on their lives and potential for generations to come. I am passionate about education and think this is the way of helping children less fortunate and to lift their families out of disadvantage.

I am excited at the opportunity to work with VIEW members and establishing many more lasting friendships during my term."

VIEW National Manager

MARYANNE MAHER, NATIONAL MANAGER - VIEW

Maryanne joined The Smith Family in 2008 as Strategic Resource Manager, and in 2009 was appointed as National Manager, VIEW.

As National Manager VIEW, Maryanne drives the strategic direction and works closely with the VIEW National Executive and National Council of biennially elected office holders, all of whom are volunteers and represent the 16,672 VIEW members throughout metropolitan, regional and rural Australia.

Maryanne has accumulated more than 20 years experience in a corporate environment, the health industry and not-for-profit organisations. She commenced her career as a commercial lawyer and practised in leading law firms in Sydney and Melbourne before moving into business management. Her qualifications include: BA, LLB, MBA and Diploma in Labour Relations and the Law.